Here is a quick update.
I worked on the tiki dude holding the float this weekend.
I am cutting the back of the headdress out as well as the eyes and will add a light behind it. Hope Tikiskip likes the idea.]
Also got "Nelson" done as far as carving. Next is paint.

Cy, awesome work on that sign so far! I've been carving large pieces of basswood lately, do you cut your own or get them from a mill? I've never seen cuts that thick, the thickest I've gotten is 1 1/2". Though it gets chippy sometimes, it's a real pleasure working worth the grain, and it carves like butter.

"I am cutting the back of the headdress out as well as the eyes and will add a light behind it. Hope Tikiskip likes the idea"

Like it? I love it!!
This sign is AWESOME!
I thought that you were just going to carve out tikiskip on some
wood and be done.
But this is so much more than that.
Your work is really great!
I can't wait to see more.
Thanks Cy.

I'm surprised and stoked by the attention John's sign is getting, thanks! Lake surfer we have a lumber store here in Portland called Crosscut that is like a giant candy store for carvers. Any kind of wood you can imagine is stacked there and I went in looking for the thickest, baddest piece of bass wood I could find. What is available is hit and miss but I staggered out with this 4" thick 12ft. beauty.
After seeing your gorgeous carvings at the Hale Pele this week I will be picking up some poplar next visit. Gracias H10 and thanks for the Nelson comment McTiki, I will have more time in that little bastard than I will in the sign. Thanks Will, I like to ad-lib as I go along and with today off I should be able to add the backlight and carve through the eyes and headdress, which was modeled after a cool rattan light that tikiskip made. Thanks MDM and good to see you back Tucson! Glad you like tikiskip as there is no going back now!

Those two fellas at the top of Nelson remind me of Aztec hachas...maybe the hooked noses. All very nice work.
by the way, are those guys blowing whistles or smoking cigarettes? Sorry man, I can't resist being a smart @ss!

Love it Cy.
Hey check out some saw porn.
Here are my chain saws, Love the little Echo.
The Jonsereds is a beast, that son of a gun got
so fired up it caught fire.
Ya gotta go with the pro saws as they have way more power.
Have not done any carving yet, too busy makin lights to get on that.
Worked for a tree company after High school.
Here's a carvin toon for ya.
Love the chain saw solo.
Did get to work on your light today as it was 60!
Keep up the good work!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A52p9jc-gOo

My God tikiskip, that is one scary looking mo-chine. I could not play the video with my outdated computer, but will check it out with a friends. Glad you like the sign. I have saved the hand till last because I want it removable in case you need to replace the float some day
and got some great ideas and suggestions from AlohaStation so that portion is next.